CAGNES-SUR-MER, France — American rider Ted King fought back tears Wednesday as the Tour de France peloton rode away without him because he was too injured to complete the previous stage in regulation time.

Some competitors felt race regulators were overzealous in excluding the Cannondale rider for being a fraction too slow in the team time trial.

"Rules are rules, but it is a little bit tough, isn't it?" said Richie Porte of Team Sky. "It does seem rough."